Ryanair has launched its biggest ever summer programme from Manchester, with six new routes and more flights to Belfast.

Included are services to the French cities of Bordeaux and Marseille, where the airline is to establish new bases next summer.

It will offer a total of 63 routes from the northwest airport next summer, including Gothenburg, Marrakech, Nantes and Thessaloniki, which are also new for 2019.

The airline estimates it than 5.4 million passenger a year through Manchester Airport, a growth of 6%.

Julian Carr, the airport's aviation director, said: "It's fantastic to see Ryanair adding yet more routes and continuing to grow from Manchester. Gothenburg and Marseilles are currently unserved from the airport and along with their other new routes will offer our 27.9 million passengers an even greater choice of destinations, whether it's for business or leisure."